Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 7 July 2022 · 12 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Robert Largan asked the Government about safe standing in premier league grounds, emphasizing the need for seat locking to increase capacity and provide cheaper ticket prices.
  • Jeff Smith inquired about the financial difficulties faced by leisure facilities due to high fuel costs and reduced footfall, expressing concern about potential closures.
  • John Whittingdale raised concerns about proposals to dilute copyright for artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of intellectual property protection for the creative industries.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robert Largan
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP noted the recent announcement allowing safe standing and expressed concern over seat locking, as it is essential for increasing capacity and providing cheaper ticket prices. The questioner seeks a meeting to discuss this issue further.

Question

The Government deserve considerable credit for their recent announcement to allow safe standing in all premier league grounds. However, the rule change does not permit seat locking for safe standing, which is essential if we are to be able to increase capacity and provide cheaper ticket prices like those in Germany, as the overwhelming majority of fans want. Will the Secretary of State agree to meet me, officials from the Football Association and the English Premier League and colleagues from the all-party parliamentary group for safe standing to discuss the issue and get on—

Answer from Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

I assure my hon. Friend that the safety of spectators at football matches was the key priority in the development of the policy. The report found that keeping seats unlocked would offer greater choice to spectators and was supported by the data from the spectator survey. Of course, I am always happy to meet and discuss the matter further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not commit to meeting with specific groups but said she is willing to meet and discuss the issue further.

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Q2 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Community Security Energy
Context

The MP expressed concern about high fuel costs and reduced footfall leading to the closure of local leisure facilities. The questioner seeks more support from the government during the cost of living crisis.

Question

It looks as though the Secretary of State will shortly have a lot more spare time on her hands, perhaps for more sport and physical activity, but that becomes much harder if leisure facilities and swimming pools close because of high fuel costs and reduced footfall. Operators are really worried. What more will the Government do to support local authorities and the rest of the sector as they face the Tory cost of living crisis?

Answer from Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The leisure centre sector was supported with £100 million throughout the pandemic. We continue to work, and discuss ongoing issues, with the sector, but I am delighted that we are seeing improvements across all leisure sectors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific additional measures for support beyond previous funding and current discussions.

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Q3 John Whittingdale Con Maldon
Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

The MP highlighted the importance of intellectual property rights for creative industries and expressed concern about proposals to dilute copyright for artificial intelligence.

Question

My right hon. Friend will be aware that yesterday was British IP Day, and that the creative industries for which she is responsible rely on intellectual property protection. Is she aware of the deep concern across the creative industries about proposals to dilute copyright for artificial intelligence, and will she raise the matter urgently with her colleagues in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy?

Answer from Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

I thank my right hon. Friend for his question and for his continued support to me and the Department. Last week, we published our response to the consultation on intellectual property and artificial intelligence, of which I am sure he is aware. Following that consultation, we intend to amend copyright law to make it easier to analyse material for the purposes of machine learning, research and innovation. That will promote the use of AI technology and wider data mining techniques for the public good.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q4 Tony Lloyd Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP noted that the majority of national cultural treasures are held in London and not accessible to people outside the south-east. The questioner seeks measures to ensure better distribution.

Question

Mr Speaker, you will know that the bulk of the nation's cultural treasures are held in London. Many of them do not see the light of day from one year to the next, and they are not even seen by people with access in the south-east. What will the Secretary of State do to make sure that the nation's cultural treasures are spread among the nations and regions?

Answer from Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

This has been an objective of mine since I first arrived in the Department. Yesterday I visited the British Library, which holds many of the nation's treasures. We want to ensure that collections in libraries, museums and art galleries reach across the country, so that everybody has access to and can see, enjoy and learn from those national treasures. At the beginning of my tenure and recently, I asked every organisation to look again at what they are doing to ensure that that happens.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific actions but stated it is an objective and mentioned recent initiatives without specifics.

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Q5 Michael Fabricant Con
Science & Technology
Context

The MP noted the progress in rural areas but expressed concern about slow broadband speeds in urban areas such as Westminster and Birmingham. The questioner seeks measures to improve urban broadband.

Question

My right hon. Friend has already said that the penetration of high speed broadband has gone up in just three years from 6% to 69%, particularly in rural areas. However, is she aware that in parts of Westminster and Birmingham, for example, it is very, very slow? What can we do to speed up urban broadband?

Answer from Nadine Dorries (Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

I am sure Mr Speaker has a response on Westminster, but as of July 2022, London has 81% gigabit coverage. It is an urban area: it is easier to cover and easier to reach homes. Birmingham is at 93%. Those figures are up from just 14% and 21% respectively in November 2019.

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific measures but discussed coverage statistics without addressing how to improve urban broadband.

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Q6 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP expressed York's ambition to be listed as a UNESCO world heritage site and sought support from the Department.

Question

York is ambitious to make it on to the UNESCO world heritage site tentative list. We will certainly display our many heritage assets and our social history, encouraging inbound tourism to the UK. However, it is a very expensive process. What support will the Department give to help cities like York to make it on to the tentative list?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston (Minister for DCMS)

We are looking at the long list of potential future bids for UNESCO world heritage sites. Many people will be surprised that York is not already on the list, for many of the reasons the hon. Lady outlines. I am happy to have a conversation with her. I do not think there is an expectation of financial support, but we should be able to provide support and advice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to providing specific support or funding but offered to discuss the matter further without concrete details.

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Q7 Duncan Baker
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust in the MP's constituency does an incredible job preserving historic canals. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is reviewing annual grant funding for the Canal & River Trust.

Question

As the Secretary of State knows, we have some fantastic canals and waterways in this country. Many are historic and need protecting. The fantastic volunteers at the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust in my constituency do an incredible job. What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on supporting this country's historic canals and waterways?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is working with the Canal & River Trust on the current review of the Government's annual grant funding of the trust, as required by the 2012 grant agreement. The UK's historic canals and waterways represent some of the finest examples of working industrial heritage in the world. They play an important role in the wider visitor economy and as a valuable green space for local communities. Because of their unique social, cultural and economic importance, the Canal & River Trust, an independent charity, benefited from £3.2 million.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify any new discussions or commitments to support historic canals and waterways beyond referencing ongoing reviews and past funding.

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Q8 Alex Sobel Labour (Co-op) Leeds Central and Headingley
Brexit Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Orchestras that own their vehicles do not benefit from the dual registration scheme for touring trucks, which was introduced to support touring during Brexit negotiations.

Question

The Government recently introduced a dual registration scheme to support touring trucks because touring was completely forgotten during the Brexit negotiations. Although we do not have a Minister for this area, can somebody tell me how orchestras that own their own vehicles and do not benefit from the scheme for small-scale operators will be able to operate in this area, helping our creative industries?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

A huge amount of work has gone into touring, as the hon. Gentleman knows. I am sure that he will be delighted with the recent announcement from Greece that it will, along with Spain and others, open up and allow our musicians and artisans to tour across the EU. Negotiations are taking place on a daily basis and problems are being resolved as we move forward.

Not addressed: The answer did not address how orchestras that own their vehicles will be supported under the dual registration scheme, instead discussing EU negotiations.

How: Changed Subject

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Q9 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Education Children & Families
Context

The Hillingdon outdoor activities centre at Harefield has given generations of children the opportunity to experience new sports.

Question

The Hillingdon outdoor activities centre at Harefield in my constituency has given generations of children the opportunity to experience new sports. What plans does my right hon. Friend have to ensure that more children can benefit from such opportunities in future?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The Government encourage everyone, no matter their age, to be as active as they can be. We recognise that outdoor activities centres provide opportunities for all members of society to be active. Outdoor activities centres were supported through the pandemic by Government assistance, such as the furlough scheme, and there is a range of programmes, including the National Citizen Service and the £80 million green recovery challenge, with delivery partners that include outdoor activities centres.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify any concrete plans to ensure more children can benefit from opportunities at outdoor activity centres like Hillingdon but mentioned general support for such activities.

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Q10 Barry Sheerman Lab
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Secretary of State is perceived to be a critic of public service broadcasting, such as Channel 4 and the BBC.

Question

I know the Secretary of State to be a great survivor. If she does survive, will she look again at her terrible war against public service broadcasting—Channel 4 and the BBC?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

I am disappointed with the hon. Gentleman's question. We have worked together for 18 years, and I have no war. I have two objectives: to ensure that both Channel 4 and the BBC survive and that they are fit for the ever-changing broadcasting landscape. With the greatest respect, I say to him that we need to be aware of how the landscape is changing at warp speed.

Not addressed: The answer did not address whether the Secretary of State will reconsider her stance on public service broadcasting but instead responded negatively to the question's tone and defended her position.

How: Responded Negatively, Changed Subject

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Q11 Sarah Atherton
Northern Ireland Scotland Wales
Context

The Commonwealth games are approaching, and Jacob Edwards from Olympus Gymnastics in Wrexham is representing Team Wales.

Question

As has been mentioned, the Commonwealth games are fast approaching, allowing athletes from Wales to display their proud individualism under our great Union. Will my hon. Friend the Minister join me in congratulating Jacob Edwards from Olympus Gymnastics in Wrexham, and wishing him all the best as he represents Team Wales?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

I am absolutely delighted to wish Jacob Edwards the best of luck. Of course, the nations compete separately in the Commonwealth games, so there is an England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales dynamic that we do not have in the Olympics. I wish all nations the best of luck.

Answered
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Q12 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Housing Energy
Context

Local authority leisure centres are in financial distress due to rising energy costs, particularly affecting those that run swimming pools.

Question

The Secretary of State was very upbeat in her response to the Opposition Front Bencher, my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Withington (Jeff Smith), who asked about local authority leisure centres. They are in financial distress because of the rising costs of energy, and that is particularly true of those that run swimming pools. Is the Secretary of State saying that they are safe for the future, and if so, how is she securing that?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

The cost of living challenge—in terms of energy costs, which we all face across all sectors—is a problem that the Government are addressing. We supported the leisure sector throughout the pandemic. Conversations are taking place with sectors about the problems that they face and the solutions that the Government can help to find.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details on securing the future safety of local authority leisure centres but mentioned general support during the pandemic and ongoing conversations.

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